Sound card question

[G1zmo]

I am new to this forum so hello everyone.  I just purchased a Sennheiser 320 and a Creative sound blaster Z sound card.  My on board audio (Realteck ALC892) sounds just as accurate as the sound card.  While the sound card does make everything stand out just a little bit more it is hardly noticeable.  I have tried it on some cheap 2.1 speakers and a number of headsets, the nicest of which being the Sennheisers.  It seems like if I messed around with windows equalizer I would end up with the same result.  The sound card does make the output louder by far.  Also another weird thing is if you go into audio options and right click on the sound card speakers output the max sample rate is 24 bit, 96 khz while if you do the same thing for the onboard it is 24 bit, 192 khz.  The sound positioning between the two are almost the same too.  Anyways my question is am I doing something wrong for the $120 sound card to sound practically the same as the onboard?  Btw my hearing isn't bad I'm young and can hear pretty good detail.  Thanks for the info in advance.

[Bluejay0]

I am new to this forum so hello everyone.  I just purchased a Sennheiser 320 and a Creative sound blaster Z sound card.  My on board audio (Realteck ALC892) sounds just as accurate as the sound card.  While the sound card does make everything stand out just a little bit more it is hardly noticeable.  I have tried it on some cheap 2.1 speakers and a number of headsets, the nicest of which being the Sennheisers.  It seems like if I messed around with windows equalizer I would end up with the same result.  The sound card does make the output louder by far.  Also another weird thing is if you go into audio options and right click on the sound card speakers output the max sample rate is 24 bit, 96 khz while if you do the same thing for the onboard it is 24 bit, 192 khz.  The sound positioning between the two are almost the same too.  Anyways my question is am I doing something wrong for the $120 sound card to sound practically the same as the onboard?  Btw my hearing isn't bad I'm young and can hear pretty good detail.  Thanks for the info in advance.

The sound card gives the computing power for the sound for much cleaner process. This allows it to be much more cleaner in sound. With this it also allows

the expandability to surround sound and headset use. It allows you to have a whole device just to give sound and allows for expandability. It's worth it for the future. This allows a wider range of sound. You might not hear the difference, but the system does.

[G1zmo]

Thanks for the fast reply.  I think I'm going to just return the sound card since:

Sound card:

24 bit 96 khz

5.1 CH

 

Onboard

24 bit 192 khz

7.1 CH

 

While like you said the sound card has better sound due to the better DAC's as well as the op amps; I guess my hearing isn't good enough for me to appreciate the $120 cost to performance difference.

[Bluejay0]

Thanks for the fast reply.  I think I'm going to just return the sound card since:

Sound card:

24 bit 96 khz

5.1 CH

 

Onboard

24 bit 192 khz

7.1 CH

 

While like you said the sound card has better sound due to the better DAC's as well as the op amps; I guess my hearing isn't good enough for me to appreciate the $120 cost to performance difference.

Honestly, you could keep it for bragging rights and less stutter during large processes. 7.1 and 5.1 wont be that noticable. Might as well stay with it for more and more games with heavy processes for explosions, gunfire, music, AND footsteps.

[t0wer]

the biggest difference in onboard and dacs(haven't used a sound card since ISA days) is the powersupply.

soundcards might be slightly better than onboard, but I say it's worth it to just avoid it all and go external.

the better power supplies can lower the noisefloor but for sound quality the difference isn't vastly different.

[h264]

I am new to this forum so hello everyone.  I just purchased a Sennheiser 320 and a Creative sound blaster Z sound card.  My on board audio (Realteck ALC892) sounds just as accurate as the sound card.  While the sound card does make everything stand out just a little bit more it is hardly noticeable.  I have tried it on some cheap 2.1 speakers and a number of headsets, the nicest of which being the Sennheisers.  It seems like if I messed around with windows equalizer I would end up with the same result.  The sound card does make the output louder by far.  Also another weird thing is if you go into audio options and right click on the sound card speakers output the max sample rate is 24 bit, 96 khz while if you do the same thing for the onboard it is 24 bit, 192 khz.  The sound positioning between the two are almost the same too.  Anyways my question is am I doing something wrong for the $120 sound card to sound practically the same as the onboard?  Btw my hearing isn't bad I'm young and can hear pretty good detail.  Thanks for the info in advance.

 

 

Thanks for the fast reply.  I think I'm going to just return the sound card since:

Sound card:

24 bit 96 khz

5.1 CH

 

Onboard

24 bit 192 khz

7.1 CH

 

While like you said the sound card has better sound due to the better DAC's as well as the op amps; I guess my hearing isn't good enough for me to appreciate the $120 cost to performance difference.

 

Hi G1zmo! Welcome!  No, your hearing is not bad, there is simply no major benefit for your low impedance headphones with a dedicated soundcard.  Furthermore, your onboard is actually quite good.  In terms of gear, your headphones will make the biggest difference in your audio experience.

 

Read the FAQ if you get a chance, it has a lot of information concerning this topic.

[G1zmo]

Thanks everyone for the replies.  The more I listen the more I hear the difference so I will end up keeping it.  One more question, the version I got must be an older batch because it has the cheaper luxon capacitors while the newer made ones have the gold Nichicon.  What differences does this make?

[Bluejay0]

Thanks everyone for the replies.  The more I listen the more I hear the difference so I will end up keeping it.  One more question, the version I got must be an older batch because it has the cheaper luxon capacitors while the newer made ones have the gold Nichicon.  What differences does this make?

Not much as of now. Its more for durability and life span.

[G1zmo]

Gotcha, ok I wont worry about it then they don't take but a few seconds to change if one goes bad.

[Theo]

Also one thing, just because they both to 24bit and 96khz or more, doesnt mean that they perform the same, thats like comparing GHz in processors

[t0wer]

it doesn't matter as almost all files are 16/44

[G1zmo]

Also one thing, just because they both to 24bit and 96khz or more, doesnt mean that they perform the same, thats like comparing GHz in processors

 

 

it doesn't matter as almost all files are 16/44

 

Good points.  I also heard that being trained to listen to a certain quality makes it take time get used to higher quality.  Once I start my new job and get my apartment situation under control I'll probably get some new headphones that will take advantage of the card.

[Flechette1866]

good audio is audio that you like, if you cant tell the difference then for you, it will be just as good, and you will save plenty of money in the long run (trust me my bank account does not like my audiophile tenancies)

 

having said that if what you want if better sound quality, a larger soundstage, more presence, more clarity or any other aspect of sound, having the sound card will help.